CCS Meeting: PM Modi Leads High-Level Meeting To Address Bangladesh Unrest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation in Bangladesh. The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra, Research and Analysis Wing Chief Ravi Sinha, and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka.

The CCS meeting was convened amid the political crisis in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, who led Bangladesh for 15 years, stepped down and fled the country in response to escalating protests that began in mid-July over a controversial quota order. The order reserved 30% of civil service jobs for families of veterans of the 1971 liberation war, sparking widespread unrest and demands for her removal.

Also read: Bangladesh Army Chief: PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns; Interim Government To Take Over

Sheikh Hasina lands in Delhi

Sheikh Hasina arrived at Hindon Airbase, where she met with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Her resignation has led to significant turmoil, with the Bangladesh Army announcing its intent to facilitate the formation of an interim government. Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman declared that the military would assume responsibility for maintaining law and order. The protests against Hasina’s government have resulted in over 100 fatalities in the past two days.

Sheikh Hasina’s departure marks the end of her fourth consecutive term, which she secured in an election held in January this year. The election was boycotted by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Begum Khaleda Zia. Hasina had been in power since 2009 after a prolonged political rivalry with Zia.

In response to the crisis, India has indefinitely suspended all train services to Bangladesh. The Ministry of Railways announced that the Maitri Express, Bandhan Express, and Mitali Express, which had their last trips in mid-July, have been cancelled due to the violent protests in Bangladesh.